The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a section on their website dedicated to young people. The SSA has developed various programs to help protect young people even before they have started working.
According to the website, approximately 3.2 million children under the age of 18 were receiving monthly benefits from the SSA in 2013 because one or both of their parents are disabled, retired, or deceased. These benefits are called auxiliary benefits and survivors benefits. The purpose of these payments is to help families make sure they are able to provide basic necessities and assist these children in completing high school.
The SSA also helps children who are disabled. If a child is found to be disabled under the SSA’s rules and that child’s family meets the financial need thresholds set forth by the SSA, they will be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The parent or guardian of the child will receive a monthly payment for the child.
For disabled young people over the age of 18, there is a second benefit program they may be eligible for in addition to SSI. If the young person has a parent who is deceased or receiving either Social Security retirement or disability benefits, the young person may be eligible for benefits on their parents’ earnings record. This is a called a Disabled Adult Child (DAC) claim. In order to receive these benefits you must be unmarried and prove that your disability started prior to your 22 birthday. DAC claims do not require you to meet the same financial need qualifications as SSI. According to the SSA’s website, approximately 1 million young people were receiving DAC benefits in 2013.
For more information on the how the SSA protects young people check out their website.
